Spring has sprung. Summer is near! The flowers are blooming and we're all ready for some outdoor activity. Now, more than ever, there are a variety of activities to take advantage of right here in Hoboken and in our surrounding area. If you have the gusto to trek into Manhattan there are even more options for children and families. Check out these exciting ideas of places to go as the warmer weather approaches!

For family fun all summer long in our own backyard, there are music festivals and Movies Under the Stars. A great way to spend a balmy night from June through August is at nearby Shipyard, Sinatra and Elysian Parks, where free outdoor music concerts, puppet shows and live theater will be offered as part of the Summer Performance Series.

Also located in Elysian Park, the Art in the Park Program is held every Tuesday morning from 10am-noon. Activities are offered for pre-school aged children free of charge and include all sorts of interesting crafts and creative games. These are all sponsored by the City of Hoboken and Hudson County. So there's something for everyone to enjoy the longer evenings and warmer nights right here in Hoboken!

And by the way, it's still not too late to register, if you've been thinking about enriching your child's summer experience with an exciting Summer Camp. Click here for HFA's complete listing of summer camps in the Hoboken area.

If you would like to stay in New Jersey but get out on the open road a bit, then we’ve got your ticket. In nearby Essex County, Turtle Back Zoo sits on approximately 18 of the county’s 2,000 acres of forests, parks and picnic areas and provides an exciting day for the kids and parents too. Their Education Department offers programs using the animals to teach visitors about animals found in New Jersey, as well as around the world. When the zoo first opened in June 1963, it was planned as a seasonal children's zoo, to be open during the spring and summer months. By the mid-70's the zoo became a full time recreational and educational facility and is now a favorite among Hoboken families too. Their train and pony rides are now open, so don’t delay in planning a trip to nearby West Orange. For directions, visit www.turtlebackzoo.com

If trains make your little ones smile, then Van Saun Park also has a treat for you — a working train through the animal park and a beautiful carousel. With age appropriate playgrounds, picnic areas, a soccer field, softball fields, tennis courts, and a snack bar — there is something for everyone. Admission is free on Wednesdays so make your way out to Paramus for a fun-filled hump day. For directions, check out www.co.bergen.nj.us/parks/Parks/Van%20Saun%20Park.htm

For a little more of a drive — you can see some familiar characters that we all know and love, and get away for the weekend. Take the family to Sesame Place! Located in Langhorne, PA, only 90 minutes from New York City, you can hang with Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, and Oscar. They will definitely know how to beat the heat with their fun-filled water activities. For more information, check out www.sesameplace.com

So you want to leave the car behind, but still get out of Hoboken? You can take a quick jaunt across the Hudson River to Manhattan and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Everything from street fairs and festivals, to famous zoos and amusement parks, to aircraft carriers — all within a ferry or PATH ride away!

Across the river, located at Pier 86, there’s always an adventure at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. Children and adults alike will enjoy their calendar of events featuring activities all year round. From their annual Fleet Week celebration to the educational Seaworthy Saturday programs, their unique events are perfect for the entire family.For more information, contact them at 212.245.0072 or visit www.intrepidmuseum.org/ (NOTE: THE INTREPID MUSEUM IS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION UNTIL FALL 2008)

If you haven’t taken advantage of our close proximity to Central Park, this summer is the time to visit. It is one of the most celebrated attractions in New York and has so much to offer. You can make it a day trip or a quick visit to the zoo, the theatre to catch a puppet show, or play on one of the 21 playgrounds. And when you get tired, you can take a break on one of the 9,000 park benches. There are several children’s events scheduled, including a summer camp, so visit the official website at www.centralparknyc.org for more information.

Once in Central Park there is a Children’s Zoo that will excite your children with over 1,400 types of animals. It’s located just steps from 5^th Avenue and hosts a café to enjoy a yummy lunch. You can reach them at 212-861-6030 for more information.

Another must see is the Bronx Zoo, located in Bronx, NY. Once you’re sauntering through the Congo Rain forest or visiting the famous Congolese Gorillas, you won’t believe you’re still in New York City. The zoo is open all year round but has special hours for each season. Call them at 718-367-1010 for more information. You can find out about all of the zoos that NYC has to offer at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s website, www.wcs.org/zoos/

You couldn’t possibly have a summer without riding a roller coaster, right? If you’re a daredevil roller coaster rider then you must visit the world famous Cyclone at Coney Island in Brooklyn. The amusement park opens on May 23^rd for the summer and includes a ton of special events all summer long — including fireworks every Friday night, starting June 23^rd. Contact them at 718-265-2100 for directions from Hoboken, or visit www.astroland.com

Another great place for roller coasters and kid fun is right around the corner in Jackson, New Jersey. Six Flags Great Adventure can be reached within an hour’s ride from Hoboken off exit 7A on the NJ Turnpike. Six Flags Great Adventure is a world-class family entertainment complex filled with exciting rides and attractions and 12 heart-pounding coasters, including the 230-foot tall NITRO — the most explosive coaster on the planet. It is the largest theme park in the state and hosts a famous wildlife safari that you can enjoy from your own car. Visit their website at www.sixflags/parks/greatadventure for information about special events, admission prices and directions.

If it’s a raining summer day, or too hot to handle being outdoors — how about some music, art or special craft activities in Hoboken? Echo of Art is located at 157 First Avenue (201-795-9333) and provides weekly music classes for $10 per child and other specially scheduled activities. If you’re up for some arts and crafts, you can drop in anytime and stay as long as you like — no pre-registration necessary unless it’s a scheduled project. And let’s not forget our very own Hoboken Library, located at 500 Park Avenue. It offers an extensive summer program schedule for infants through high school aged kids. From story time for your toddler, to special reading clubs for your school aged children, visit their website at www.hoboken.bccls.org/ or call them at 201-420-2348.

If you are inclined to brave a light rainy day, or want to get out of the heat but get out of Hoboken too — then these are a couple of nearby reliable indoor choices. Chelsea Piers, located in Manhattan off the West Side Highway at 23^rd Street, offers a variety of activities for all ages. This summer there is even a summer camp option for children starting at age 3. Visit their website for a schedule of events and directions for driving or using public transportation at www.chelseapiers

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, located on the West side of Manhattan at 83^rd Street, offers everything from special exhibits to child/parent classes on making your own book (a class offered every Saturday throughout the summer). Contact them at (212) 721-1234, or visit their website at www.cmom.org and see what else they have scheduled for the summer months.

The Museum of Natural History, located in Manhattan on Central Park West and 79^th Street, offers summer camp fun for children ages 3 through high school, as well as incredible exhibits and the world-renowned Rose Center. Visit their website for more information at Museum of Natural History Sumer Camps.

So whether you want to stay in Hoboken, take a daytrip in New Jersey, or pop over into the city — there is always plenty to do. So get a good night’s rest and head out early in the morning with the kids to enjoy all of the summer fun our area has to offer. But make sure you have energy left to participate in all of the exciting HFA events we have planned for you and your family this summer! Enjoy your vacation and see you at the Hoboken Children’s Festival on June 8th!

For other interesting resources visit:
www.newmommies.com - provides new mothers and soon-to-be mothers with a variety of events, information, and contacts for the New York City area.
www.gocitykids.com - a great website offering many articles and activities in NYC.
www.parentsknow.com - provides NYC resource and event information and is the home of the Big Apple Parent monthly newspaper.
www.njpac.com - the website of the NJ Performing Arts center, a beautiful addition to the NJ community, offering a variety of performances for the whole family.
www.lsc.org - the website of the Liberty Science Center, offering an abundance of exhibits that are fun and educational, along with the area's only IMAX theater.